Military History

From the Family Tree Forum Reference Library




World War One World War Two The Army The Royal Navy
The Royal Air Force





General Military Links

Researching Prisoners of War

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva keeps lists of all known POWs and internees of all nationalities for the Second World War. Enquiries concerning these lists should be directed to:

Archives Division and Research Service
International Committee of the Red Cross
19 Avenue de la Paix,
Geneva CH-1202,
Switzerland

email: archives.gva@icrc.org

International Committee Of The Red Cross


Book! Prisoners of War, British Army, 1939 - 1945

That lists alphabetically over 107,000 British Army POWs of all ranks held in Germany or in German occupied territories in World War Two. It gives each POW's camp, POW number, surname, initials, rank, army number and regiment/corps.

It was re-published in 1990, by J B Hayward and Sons of Polstead, Suffolk (cost £38) ISBN 0-903754-61-

Useful Links

20th Century Espionage National Archives of Australia The Tank Museum Imperial War Museum Collections Online

A-Z List of Ex-Military Service Organisations

A-Z List of Ex-Military Service


National Service and the Home Guard

Home Guard – history


Home Guard Pocket Manual



Medals and Decorations

World War One and Two Dual Links

Yokohama War Cemetery-Japan-

This is a very professional site dedicated to soldiers that died over in Yokohama Japan,in the concentration camps and for soldiers from elsewhere like India..It has a very good site map,and a very clear ,detailed index of the soldiers with military number and next of kin where available.-well worth a look........

http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Cemeteries/Yokohama_War_Cemetery/

Cowra-Australian burials

This is a personal family history site that lists detailed desriptions of Australian casualties from WW2 buried there.522 Japanese are buried there too.

http://ozfamily.horrorking.com/cowra.html

France and Belgium-The Great War 1914-18 war cemeteries and memorials

This is an incredible site-it shows all war cemetaries in france and Belgium-there are indexes galore and when you click on each cemetery there are photographs and details of how many from each regiment etc.Huge site but very organised.Includes many memorials including Thiepval THESE ARE ALL FOR THE GREAT WAR 1914-18.This is a must see website.

http://www.silentcities.co.uk/mainindex.htm <<<< this is not working at moment

South Africa war graves

This is an incredible and very brave undertaking and reminds us all of how many countries sacrificed their men in the world wars.the south africa war Graves Project hasnt been completed but has come a long way.

http://southafricawargraves.org/index.htm

In their charter they state>>>

The goal of the South Africa War Graves Project is to archive photographs of every single South African war grave from the 2nd Anglo-Boer War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Rand Revolt, Freedom Struggle, Angola-Border War to present day. These photos will either be in the format of a picture of a headstone or a name on a memorial. These photos will eventually be made freely to the family, friends of the deceased serviceperson, school groups, veterans groups and MOTH shell-holes through this website

New Zealand Graves and Memorials

A dedicated site that spans the recording of graves of New Zealanders in over 60 different countries.

http://www.nzafmp.org/index.htm

In their intro they state 2 main aims>>>

To photograph and collect a pictorial record of New Zealand war graves and memorials both overseas and in New Zealand to commemorate those servicemen and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.

To collect photos and stories not only of those who lost their lives, but also of those who came home. Generation by generation stories and old photo's are being lost to us. Our aim is to record as many photos and stories as we can while those who remember can help us to provide an accurate online resource

All cemeteries with over 40 burials worldwide

This is the daddy of all sites and even more encompassing than the very impressive Silent Cities site covering all the world cemeteries with 40 or more burials of war dead-this covers no less than 940 cemeteries !!!!

http://ww1cemeteries.com/


all photographed

Australian War Graves

In a similar vein to the south african and New Zealand war grave Projects.

http://www.australianwargraves.org/ Australian war graves Photographic Project-AWGPA

Australian War Memorial - a database of Australians who fought in various wars:

http://www.awm.gov.au/database/biographical.asp

Includes a list of PoWs.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

This is for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

This site has lots of different places on it and seems to be expanding...


http://www.roll-of-honour.com/

Canada-War memorial project

http://www.mapleleaflegacy.org/

This is a very snazzy site with a musical introduction,truly a work of art..the Maple leaf Memorial Project promises to be the definitive resource for the rememberance of Canadian dead.

Peterborough

www.pboro-memorial.com

A web-site dedicated to the people of Peterborough who were killed during the First and Second World Wars.

War Memorials and Graves on Isle of Wight

Excellent site for those searching details of WWI and WWII casualties. Complete with links to CWGC. Also includes civilian casualties.

http://www.isle-of-wight-memorials.org.uk/index.htm

Tidworth Military cemetery

Tidworth Military Cemetery http://www.remembering.org.uk/tidworth_cemetery.htm

War memorials in the old Avon area round Bristol http://uk.geocities.com/williamfdungey/mems/memindex.html

WWI memorial, All Saints Church, South Lynn, Norfolk

Full details (yes some one has researched details of their death) of all those on the War Memorial window (WW1) at All Saints Church, South Lynn.

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/NorfololkAllSaints.html

Found this site totally by chance it looks for neglected war graves in Britain

War Graves In Britain



British Military Records through the ages When you are searching for Military Service Records there are a few important pieces of information that you need to have. These are: · Full name of the individual. If you have as full a name as possible as this will make tracking your individual easier. E.g. John Brown. There must be hundreds of John Browns. If you have a middle name it will make things a bit easier. E.g. John W Brown. · The Service in which he served. Army, Royal Navy or Air Force. · Rank and Regiment or Naval Ship or Squadron. Having the service number can be particularly helpful. · Find out when the person served; pre First World War, First World War and after 1920. · The more details you have the better. Even the Enlistment date and Demob dates are helpful as well.

For pre-WW1, WW1, Royal Navy and Air Force can be searched for at the National Archives in Kew. If you go there you can search documents for free. Online you can search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/?homelink=main_military

For records of Servicemen and Women who served in WW2 and beyond; · Army -http://www.army.mod.uk/contacts/divisions/records.htm · Royal Navy- http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.4330 · Royal Air Force -http://www.raf.mod.uk/links/contacts.cfm

Deserters and Absentees from His Majesty's Services. ARMY http://www.londonancestor.com/army/menu.htm

Worth a mention especially as they are going to start to put the records from Kew online soon.

If you find someone in the burnt records- WO 363, For the Army in WW1. Don't leave it there..... Also check the unburnt records - WO 364. As I found the same person in both today

War Memorials

In Cheshire and Lancashire

http://www.carlscam.com/index.html

MILITARY (miscellaneous)

first world war - www.worldwar1.com www.1914-1918.net

second world war - www.ww2talk.com

Commonwealth War Graves Commission site - www.cwgc.org

To obtain Army service records - http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/ser...ords/army.html

British War Memorial Project: http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk/ Volunteers aim to photo all war graves from WWI onward, whatever country they are in.

Some can be seen on line, if they have a photo they will send you a copy (donation requested).

Alsso have a page giving details of all medals awarded. Someone just pointed me to this site for hospitals from WW1 that had military patients

http://www.1914-1918.net/hospitals_uk.htm

https://www.military-genealogy.com/ Fleet air arm archives http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Re.../Archives.html

Australian War Memorial - a database of Australians who fought in various wars:

http://www.awm.gov.au/database/biographical.asp

Includes a list of PoWs. This site has details of Australian servicemen's dates of birth and next of kin.

Some service records (mainly WW1 so far) have already been digitised and put online.

http://www.naa.gov.au/The_Collection/recordsearch.html

(Choose "search now as a guest")

Boer War database:

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/KevinAsplin/home.html

Indian Mutiny Medal Recipients

http://users.rootsweb.com/~indwgw/medalpage.htm

ANZACS

  • www.anzacs.org
  • www.anzacs.net

Royal Engineers

Links to the Royal Engineers Museum Website and also online historical information about the regiment at

http://www.remuseum.org.uk/index.htm

French Air force sites ;;;

http://perso.orange.fr/paqsenior/indexE.htm

A true Story but plenty info ;;

http://touch-go.fr/index.php

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/d...rum=DCForumID6 good site for asking questions ;;


http://www.associations.rafinfo.org.uk/


http://www.allenby.info/

Site for planes crashes


http://www.memorial-genweb.org/html/fr/index.php3


Never know they might come in handy for someone;;;

Women in the Military -the Land Army, munitions and their changing roles in the Forces

Reminiscences if Land Army girls Personal stories and photographs

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/womenslandarmy.html

Wrens Brief history - to be updated

http://www.thewrens.com/history/

Voluntary Aid Detachment - VADs

They worked for the Red Cross as letter writers for the injured, cooked and provided medical assistance


http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWnurses.htm

http://www.micklebring.com/oakwood/ch01.htm


images of VAD life

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/john.marfl...tcards/vad.htm

Canada

This is a great database for Canadian women in world war one

http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww1/women/fem.htm

The A.T.S.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/asummerof4...ollection.html

The Auxiliary Territorial Service

WW1

http://www.1914-1918.net/


TIMELINE OF FIRST WORLD WAR BATTLES 1914-1918

  • Mons August 1914
  • Tannenberg August, 1914
  • Heligoland August, 1914
  • Marne September, 1914
  • Aisne September, 1914
  • Albert September, 1914
  • Arras October, 1914
  • Ypres October - November, 1914
  • Neuve Chapelle March, 1915
  • Gallipoli Campaign March, 1915 - January, 1916
  • Artois May, 1915
  • Isonzo June, 1915
  • Artois-Loos September, 1915
  • Verdun February - December, 1916
  • Jutland May, 1916
  • Somme July - November, 1916
  • Gorizia August, 1916
  • Flers-Courcelette September, 1916
  • Gaza March - April, 1917
  • Arras April - May, 1917
  • Aisne April -May, 1917
  • Messines June, 1917
  • Passchendaele July - November, 1917
  • Caporetto October, 1917
  • Cambrai November, 1917
  • Aisne May, 1918
  • Le Hamel July, 1918
  • Marne July, 1918
  • Amiens August, 1918
  • Albert August, 1918
  • St Mihiel September, 1918
  • Meuse-Argonne September - November, 1918
  • Canal du Nord September, 1918
  • Vittorio Veneto October, 1918

The site mentioned above has a serious Great War Forum with many experts on it>>>

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...p?showforum=23

Very good WW1 site.

http://www.1914-1918.net

Interpreting medal cards:

http://www.1914-1918.net/mics.htm

WW1 photos/obituaries – downloadable for a small fee

“Thousands of identified photos of First World War officers, soldiers, sailors, nurses, airmen and civilian workers available. Also obituaries and short records of service from Rolls Of Honour and The National Roll Of The Great War.”

http://www.ww1photos.com/index.html

everything you want to know about WW1!!!

http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm

Below are just a few of the topics covered, - history & timeline of WW1 battlefield tours. maps, memoirs & diaries, posters, prose & poetry, photographs, weapons, who’s who. And lots more

I would really recommend this as a starting point – I find it excellent


And another comprehensive site (but take care over some aspects as not all articles/illustrations refer solely to the UK)

http://www.teacheroz.com/wwi.htm

http://www.derbyshirelads.uwclub.net/index.html this is a handy little site following the profiles of derbyshire soldiers in the Great war-the Sherwood Forresters-details and name indexes. 2 http://www.pals.org.uk/pals_e.htm dedicated to the Accrington Pals who died in the War

www.worldwar1.com TRENCHES

Personal Diary -Great War Soldier

http://www.freewebs.com/hhhumphrey/

this is a personal diary site about a soldier in the Great War-well worth a look.

Battlefields

http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/links.html really clear site that isnt too detailed specifically relating to battlefields

http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/ GREAT WAR BATTLEFIELDS - set up by Paul Reed,a military historian.


http://www.greatwar.nl THE HERITAGE OF THE GREATWAR (copyright free)=incredible series of photographs on here,some coloured-old postcards-very raw images WARNING-some images of of deceased soldiers and are very graphic A must see site designed by Rob Ruggenberg

Aviation in the Great war

This is a cracking little history site concentrating on World War One aviation.It has lots of content and a wartime timeline. http://www.wwiaviation.com/toc.shtml


http://www.overthefront.com/ LEAGUE OF WORLD WAR ONE AVIATION HISTORIANS -has an ask the expert section

War Sites Canadian Soldiers

CANADIAN SOLDIERS databases for The First world war-

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ww1can/ Very comprehensive site from a Canadian perspective-huge resources contained here.Check out all the sections.

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/02/020106_e.html Canadian Libraries archive database

http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/html/browse/se...&t=0&Ne=100000 Gateway site with personal reports and observations submitted

http://www.kingandempire.com/index.html check out the massive name archive of canadian soldiers here-indexed -all with sepia photographs

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/02/020152_e.html WAR DIARIES

http://www.102ndbattalioncef.ca/index.htm 102nd Canadian battalion BN CEF-this is a truly incredible site for one battalion-lots of photographs.

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/ a database of 116,000canadians and newfoundlanders in a virtual war memorial

http://www.cefresearch.com/phpBB2/index.php canadian expeditionary force study group forum

Irish in the war

http://freespace.virgin.net/sh.k/xvidiv.html 16th Irish Division-dedicational site

Prisoners of war

http://www.1914-1918.net/POW/index.php BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR DATABASE for the GREAT WAR

military executions -desertion

Finally the 306 men (all named on this site with details) have been pardoned.This site explores in detail those labelled as deserters and cowards.By the time of the second world war,the number stood at less than 10,as mental illness was better understood.

http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/

Great War Dead-Cemeteries round the world

The daddy of all war grave sites for WW1.It covers 940 cemeteries round the world,all photograhed


http://ww1cemeteries.com/

Northants soldiers Photos

http://www.northants-familytree.net/soldier%20index.htm

the intro to the site speaks for itself>>>>>>.

THE NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT SOLDIER PHOTOGRAPH INDEX

IS TAKEN FROM THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER BETWEEN 1914-20.

EVERY NORTHANTS SOLDIER, SAILOR AND NURSE WHO APPEARED WITH A PHOTOGRAPH

IN THE PUBLICATION IS INDEXED.

Just seen an article in the latest issue of "Your Family Tree" magazine which says that the Western Front Association are starting a new service where they will provide colour copies of both the fronts and backs of a specified WW1 medal index card (even if the back is blank) for a £5 donation to the WFA, which is a registered charity.

Most cards don't have anything on the back, but I think perhaps if it says "OVER" in the bottom right-hand corner it may mean there is something. They are going to set up an online ordering system but at the moment you have to apply by post to WFA, PO Box 1918, Stockport, SK4 4WN.

I can't see anything about this on the WFA website at http://web.westernfrontassociation.com/ yet.

RAMC - Medical Corps

http://ramc-ww1.com

This is a database of people who served in the RAMC during the 1st World War, it is still in its early stages but worth making note of for the future.

Also http://www.ams-museum.org.uk. - the Army Medical Services museum website 

I just came across what looks like a good forum for discussing medals:

http://www.britishmedalforum.com/index.php

More about the Medal Cards here:

Watch the second video film:

http://www.vision-news.tv/news/vision-news-somme.html

The Royal Navy Prior to 1972 all RN personnel were given their service record when they discharged. For pension purposes the RN retained pay details. Therefore the only information held on RN personnel who served prior to 1972 are their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases.


A Subject Access Requests (SAR) form needs to be completed in order to access records.

The following address should be used for all Royal Navy and Royal Marine Enquiries

DNCM Data Protection Cell Building 1/152 PP65

Victory View HMNB Portsmouth PO1 3LS Telephone Numbers: 02392 727531 / 723114 / 726063

WW2 WW11 WWII

HMS EXETER crew lists

http://www.hmsexeter.com/biographies/exeterabc.html

Includes Rank some Navy / service numbers POW/ KIA and some futher information for some members of the ship.

Shore bases and training establishments

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKRNMainBases.htm

World War 2 Crewlists for:

HMS Prince of Wales HMS Repulse HMS Electra HMS Express HMS Tenedos HMAS Vampire SS Automedon HMS Cornwall HMS Dorsetshire HMS Encounter HMS Jupiter HMS Rapid HMS Saumarez HMS Stronghold HMS Thanet HMS Thracian HMS Peterel HMS Li-Wo HMS Dragonfly HMS Grasshopper HMS Hollyhock HMS Paladin HMS Porpoise HMS Quilliam HMS Stonehenge HMS Stratagem HMS Ulster HMS Verulam HMS Virago HMS Volage HM Tug Yin Ping

http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/

Mariners List site

This very plain site is deceptive......it is a no nonense but very thorough database for the Royal Navy.........

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/p...lery3/navy.htm http://www.catalogue.nationalarchive...uidesindex.asp http://home.swipnet.se/~w-11578/research.htm www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKRNPersonnel.html

www.royal-navy.mod.uk www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html www.nelsonsnavy.co.uk

www.archiveshub.ac.uk www.ageofnelson.org www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/RNBIOG1.html www.navylist.org www.cwgc.org www.1837online.com http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jeffery...s/RNShips.html www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/81Intro.html www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/royal.htm www.naval-history.net www.hmshood.com www.nmm.ac.uk http://www.barnettresearch.freeserve.../education.htm www.gazettes-online.co.uk www.portcities.org.uk/london www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html

www.nmm.ac.uk www.iwm.org.uk www.royalnavalmuseum.org www.mariners-l.co.uk

Navy Records

Royal Navy Records can be applied for using the following contact address details

Officers aged 60 or under Naval Secretary (OMOBS) Room 169 Victory Building HM Naval Base Portsmouth POL 3LS

Officers born before 1914 and Ratings enlisted before 1924

The National Archicves Kew www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Ratings enlisted after 1924 NPP Accounts 1, AFPAA Centurion Building Grange Road Gosport Hampshire PO13 9XA

Royal Naval Museum

http://www.flagship.org.uk/welcome.html

Ship Index

A list of early naval ships along with dates for each vessel at;

http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/Index.html

Sometimes a series of vessels carried the same name, the site gives dates for each known vessell which carried a name

Found this site whilst looking for a friend's rellie who was killed serving in the navy during WW1

http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/index.htm

There is a search for the name of the person or the ship, plus where the various memorials are in Portsmouth.

I was researching for a friend of mine who knew that her Husband's G'Dad died in an accident on board - family legend had it that this was in Portsmouth harbour, but the search revealed that his ship, the 'Bulwark' was actually moored at Sheerness. Those who died are named on the memorial on Southsea front.

Unfortunately, I can't help on the 'surviving' ships front, but I did look at a good site which lists many ships and what their fate was after the war. There are also photos of the crews in some cases.

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk

Brompton War Memorial Kent - Roll of Honour

Found this little site/page when searching around - has names listed that are on the memorial ...........

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Kent/Brompton.html

Rainham War Memorial Kent - Roll of Honour

Similar to the previous posting but for Rainham Kent

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Kent/Rainham.html

Royal Navy Air Station-- Fleet Air Arm, a branch of the RN


My father was on just as many ships during ww2 He served on the same ship several times. Non officers changed ships each time they went on leave, or when the ship put in for repairs.

Your great Uncle was a stoker, later a leading stoker, which meant he worked in the engine room. A stoker basically shovelled coal into the boilers to steam up . On ships without coal the rank was kept but he would still work in the engine room.

http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKRNMainBases.htm

Go to this site for all the shore bases, mainly WW2 tho' , your great uncle would have visited it several times during the war usually for further training or awaiting a new ship.

QUOTE re VIVID This was his Shore Base http://www.maritimequest.com/guestbo...message_57.htm 'The Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport (adjacent to Plymouth) was built in the late 1800s and at the time the Commander in Chief of the area had an official yacht HMS VIVID. He decided that the new barracks should take the designation HMS VIVID. It was customary for satellites of shore establishments to take the "ship name" of their parent with I or II and so on added. HMS VIVID I was the signals centre associated with the Devonport Barracks but not actually inside the perimeter. HMS VIVID II and III would have been shore units, part of the Devonport barracks, probably not actually within the perimeter but certainly within the general area of Plymouth Naval Base.' UNQUOTE


http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/pre-dread.htm

this site is good for ships during WW1


http://www.gwpda.org/naval/j0300001.htm This site records the Battle of Otranto Straits 15th May 1917. Your great Uncle was on board the ship HMS Dartmouth at the time.

QUOTE from enemy perspective on http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian...horthy/06.html 'The enemy had lost twenty-three net-trailing drifters, two transports, two destroyers and one aeroplane. In addition, the enemy flagship Dartmouth was attacked by a German U-boat as she was entering the harbour of Brindisi and holed by two torpedoes. The French destroyer Boutefeu, going to the assistance of the Dartmouth, ran onto a mine released by the U-boat and sank.' UNQUOTE

HMS Pembroke is a shore base not a ship. It's Chatham Naval Barracks and also home of the Coast guard Service.

You can look up th ships he was on here:

http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/pre-dread.htm

Royal arthur was an armoured cruiser

Minos was a destroyer

I think Watchful was a shorebase in WW1 too.

Do you have his service record? you can search for it here and down load it for £3.50

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...=*&queryType=1

You won't find Ships's crews list as all ships changed their crews on a regular basis.

Have you searched the sites listed in other posts above?

Googling is as good a way as any to find out the history of the ship and which battles for example that ship took part in. His service record will give you the dates he was aboard so you can easily see what action he was involved in himself during the war.

http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html

This is a website that gives links to various Merchant Navy and Royal Navy information.

Lancastria Association of Scotland

www.lancstria.org

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